DURHAM BEE CITY USA

The Durham Bee City Committee is a volunteer group that promotes and facilitates the education, conservation, and prosperity of our native and honeybee populations in and near Durham County. This group has been partnering with Keep Durham Beautiful and other individuals, organizations and local businesses since 2015 and received the official designation of Durham as in an official Bee City USA on June 6, 2016.

"Bee City USA certification is both an honor and a responsibility. Launched in 2012, the Bee City USA program endorses a set of commitments, defined in a resolution, for creating sustainable habitats for pollinators, which are vital to feeding the planet. Cities, towns and communities across America are invited to make these commitments and become certified as a Bee City USA affiliate."

By being a Bee City USA community, city leaders can improve their city or town’s environment, eating habits, and economy.

Help to ensure the survival of vital animal species crucial to our planet's complex food web.

Raise community awareness of how our food grows and improve local food production through expanded pollination. More than 150 food crops in the United States depend on pollinators, including blueberries, apples, squash, strawberries and almonds.

Raise community awareness of the dangers of non-native invasive plants to the local ecosystem.

Raise community awareness of the local environment’s seasonality as understanding grows about the pollinators’ reliance on blooming plants and trees.

By encouraging urban beekeeping, increase micro and small business opportunities. Newly discovered pride in local food products, such as artisanal honey and other honey bee products, creates new business opportunities. Honey is absolutely unique to the nearby flowers from which the bees gather nectar. Its taste and color vary dramatically as a result. Furthermore, as the community of beekeepers grows, the market for beekeeping supplies grows.

Bee Keeping Resources:

The DCBA meets the 3rd Monday of each month at Sarah P. Duke Gardens from 6:30-6:30 PM and holds field days the first Sunday of each month at the Duke Campus Farm Apiary at 2PM. Dues are $10. To learn more: www.durhambeekeepers.org